Tennessee Titans most intriguing player is Nate Davis?

Is a boom-or-bust guard from Charlotte the Tennessee Titans most intriguing player? You bet he is.

The biggest “need” on the Tennessee Titans roster before the 2019 NFL Draft, was interior offensive line. However, the player with the second best chance to start on Week 1 for the Titans is rarely even mentioned.

So, when Bleacher Report called rookie guard Nate Davis Tennessee’s most intriguing player I was a little bit taken aback.

Not to go all “Webster’s dictionary” on you, but the word intriguing could mean a lot of things. When I read it the first time, my thought that came to my mind was the player with the highest upside and lowest downside, but that isn’t what they mean.

The author (Brent Sobleski) phrases his interpretation like this:

"“But those listed worked their way into a potentially key role for their respective squads, whether as a starter or significant contributor based on their current rate of development.Expectations continue to grow for these projects.”"

So, why exactly did Sobleski choose Nate Davis for this?

"“Saffold will start at left guard, while multiple options will compete on the right side. Currently, Kevin Pamphile is projected to start, but third-round rookie Nate Davis will serve as the primary competition. The 316-pound neophyte is powerful at the point of attack yet lacks refinement, especially with his frog-like stance. “"

This is actually really good analysis. The biggest question on the Titans roster right now is, “Who will start at right guard in Week 1?”

Mike Vrabel and others have been quiet when asked specifically about the position. In fact, the only quote I can find where the starter has been confirmed to be Kevin Pamphile is this clip from AtoZSports towards the end:

So while it isn’t the sexiest answer, Nate Davis is really intriguing. The Tennessee Titans are in a crucial year and everything is at their feet.

The Houston Texans have the worst offensive line in the NFL, a head coach who is constantly struggling for power and pushing people out, a franchise tagged player holding out, and the toughest schedule in the division.

Another AFC South “rival”, the Jacksonville Jaguars have imploded this offseason, not that anyone has noticed. Their starting tackles have health concerns, they intentionally overpaid their QB in order for him to earn respect in the locker room, Telvin Smith took a year off of football for personal reasons and the Jaguars are fining him for it, and their best player on defense just said that he was going to overcharge the Jags when they tried to sign him in free agency.

Sure, they have a tough schedule but the tough teams aren’t the issue for the Titans. They beat playoff teams like the Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and even throttled the eventually Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots.

The Titans biggest concern is beating the bad teams, and to do that they really need to keep Marcus Mariota upright and comfortable. Do that and you have a great chance of getting the job done when you are expected to.

With two or three new starters on that offensive line, the biggest question is how quickly can that chemistry come together. A huge piece of that is up to Mr. Intrigue himself Nate Davis and if he can come in and bolster the right guard position.